This book is from the 1960’s or 1970’s. I remember it from the mid 1970’s. Written for preK-2nd grade. Was even read on Captain Kangaroo. It was illustrated in black and white drawings. The main character had a long ponytail. She was jealous of her best friend. Her best friend had short hair. The 2 girls went to school together, I would guess preschool or kindergarten. The main character’s mother babysat the best friend also. The main character always tried to do what her friend does but it never works out and she makes mistakes. The best friend seems to do everything “perfect.” One page I remember has the girls painting at easels. The best friend has a pretty picture and the main character has a sloppy mess. Can’t remember title or author. Have searched for this book for over 10 years.
Stump the Bookseller
New format, same book stumper solving.
It’s not likely to be Beverly Cleary’s Ellen Tibbets but maybe. The easel reminded me most of Judy Delton’s Kitty in the Middle.
It was a picture book not a chapter book. Thanks.
This reminds me of Emma L. Brock’s books about Mary- Ballet for Mary, Mary Makes a Cake, etc. I read them in the early 70s, though they’re older. “Sudden Mary,” who had a long ponytail in some illustrations, is always dropping/breaking/messing, while her friend Mildred, who had short hair, is neat and careful.
No the character was more preschool age. Thank you though.
Maybe I Do Not Like It When My Friend Comes to Visit by Ivan Sherman.
http://www.ivansherman.com/i-do-not-like-it-when-my-friend-comes-to-visit
Or maybe The Trouble with Terry by Joan Lexau. She’s cutting off her braid on the cover.
“Everything I do turns out wrong!” Terry wails. Poor Terry! She makes a promise to her best friend — and forgets all about it. She boils eggs on the stove — and they explode. She helps her brother deliver papers — and hits her teacher in the stomach with the Evening News!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1785563.The_Trouble_with_Terry
I think this is the same book I have been searching for. I remember the girls planting gardens, baking a cake and doing other chores/activities. And one always did everything better. I remember them as being twins though. For some reason, the illustrations of the girls look like in my memory. Has anyone had any luck locating the title? I’d love to buy a copy on eBay.
I’m looking for this same title. I remember them as being twins though. They baked a cake, painted, and gardened and one sister always did it better than the other one.